HP cop’s link to suicide: Victim’s family not cooperating, says govt

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HimVani

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh government has blamed the suicide victim’s family for not cooperating in the probe involving Inspector General (IG) Pradeep Kumar Sarpal, who was booked for abetment to suicide recently and trying to destroy evidence from the crime scene, a government affidavit has stated.

“The petitioner and victim’s family were asked to cooperate in the investigation, but they have not joined the investigation on the plea that they have no trust on the state police and wanted the case to be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation,” the affidavit, which the government filed in the High Court, said.

The high court division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice RB Misra, sought the response of the state government, the state police and the CBI on a petition by the family of the woman who allegedly committed suicide after she was rebuffed in her bid to marry Sarpal’s son. The family moved the high court seeking a CBI probe into the incident. The government has already ordered a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)into the case.

“A CID IG, under whose supervision the investigation is being conducted, has visited the spot but the family members and the relations refused to give any statement or to associate with the investigation… However, the onus for the delay in investigation of the case purely lies on the petitioner,” said the government. The police have interrogated Sarpal, his wife Uma Sarpal and his son Sidharth and their mobile details have been obtained,” said the affidavit.

Ritu, 28, hanged herself from a ceiling fan at her residence on March 28. She was reportedly in love with Sidharth and her relatives alleged that she committed suicide after the Sarpals refused to let her marry their son. Sidharth, a sub-judge in Mandi district, and Ritu were known to each other for last 15 years.
As per the first information report, Sarpal, his son and some policemen entered Ritu’s house after her suicide and tried to tamper with the evidence. None of her relatives was present in the house at that time.

Editor: Johar Singh

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